KOLKATA: Taking a lesson from the back to back fire tragedies in the city, office buildings in Sector V, Salt Lake are now making sure that all companies adhere to the standard fire safety norms.

"Every year, each building of Sector V has to obtain a no objection certificate (NOC) from the Directorate of Fire and Emergency Services, government of West Bengal. Without the NOC from the said directorate, as a civic authority we do not issue a 'certificate of enlistment' in favour of the organisation(s) for engaging in any kind of business. Besides that, our authority is also in the process of engaging an agency to conduct a fire and safety audit of all the buildings of Sector V," said Badri Narayan Kar executive officer, Nabadiganta Industrial Township Authority (NDITA).

Kar also added that a technical committee of this authority also visits different buildings to oversee the arrangement of fire fighting. Any lapses on the part of the building owner have to be rectified immediately. NDITA was also in touch with the fire services department for improving fire-fighting arrangements in the IT hub.

Fire safety norms are now a priority for industries in the region. Recently CII, Eastern Region organised a flagship safety initiative of the region, 'Safety Symposium and Exposition', in Kolkata. On the occasion, Janab Javed Ahmed Khan, minister of fire and emergency services, disaster management and civil defense, government of West Bengal said, "We are laying emphasis to ensuring industrial safety in the state. The government has unified the three departments of fire, disaster, and civil defense under one umbrella for better service." He also stated that the government will set up a unified disaster management centre in all districts of the state. At the symposium, he also invited suggestions from the industry for the betterment of the industrial safety scenario in the state.

Sometime back, it was the chief minister Mamata Banerjee, who pointed out that several high-rise buildings in Rajarhat and New Town were unplanned. Soon multiple efforts were made to put things on track.

Hidco chairman-cum-managing director, Debashis Sen said that Hidco is in the process of appointing an agency to conduct fire audits for high-rises. "An agency will conduct this audit. It will, for instance, check whether dates of fire extinguishers have expired. If any lapse is detected, the developer will be cautioned."

He said, in Rajarhat it is mandatory to install fire alarm switches and close circuit cameras in large complexes. "Any complex that is in an area of 1 acre or more has to install them and most of them are complying by the rules."

Suparno Moitra, eastern regional head, Nasscom and board member of Nabadiganta Industrial Township Authority (NDITA) said, "All the IT companies in Sector V and Rajarhat -the IT hub of West Bengal - have their safety systems in place. These companies are subject to a security audit from their international clients and so they cannot overlook this."

Moitra informed that about six months back Nabadiganta Industrial Township Authority (NDITA) had appointed a task force led by former Inspector General R K Johri. The task force conducted a survey and after studying the fire safety measures in 24 buildings, the team found few lacunae. These companies were then given a time frame to carry forward the recommendations. "It is now time that we re-audit the buildings to check if the recommendations have been carried out." NDITA is also mulling over appointing a security audit firm to take charge of these issues.

Ujjwal, assistant vice president, Forum Projects said that the companies are taking pains to ensure that the safety measures are in place. "For the Technopolis building in Sector V just the installation of all the fire safety devices cost us close to Rs 1.3 crore in 2006, which included the water tanks, fire alarms, sprinklers, detectors etc." The reason for this extra caution is only to protect the property. "We lease our property so it is our duty to maintain it as well," said Ujjwal.

Dr A K Mathur, president - operations, Infinity Infotech Park in Sector V said, "All companies are complying with the fire safety measures as put down by the ministry. Companies have realised that these requirements cannot be ignored any more. We also have qualified 24x7 fire officers on duty, who are trained to manage such emergencies."

Explaining the technology of the fire safety system installed in the buildings, Ujjwal said, "Firstly, fire detectors have been installed on every floor - both on and above the false ceiling. So if a fire breaks out at any point of time, the control room would know the exact source and won't run helter-skelter to detect the source."